The Halloween Tree in Around the World in 80 Books

Oct 23, 2018 Astrid Lim rated it really liked it

Shelves: classic, gothic, horror, culture, middle-grade, popsugar-2018

I like this book! The story is simple - to trace the origins and meaning of Halloween. Full of details, information about paganism, old religions, myths and horrors- with a bunch of kids in costumes as the main characters. Great read for middle grade children who want to delve more into Halloween mood!

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Nov 02, 2018 Katie rated it liked it

Shelves: male-author

This was a fun book to read on a gloomy Halloween night by candlelight with eerie, magical music playing in the background. It is about a group of boys who travel back in time to all sorts of places to witness Halloween-like rituals. They witness the activities of the tombs of ancient Egypt, the autumn rituals of the Druids, the construction of the gothic Notre Dame cathedral, and the rituals of the Day of the Dead in Mexico. While the story wasn't super engaging, I liked the mysterious mood Bra ...more

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May 24, 2008 YoSafBridg rated it really liked it

Ray Bradbury is an excellent story-teller in my, ever not-so-humble, opinion, this is a man who knows how to use language (though i do have to wonder why a soul~or anything for that matter would need to be hung out to dry if it had been dry-cleaned~but maybe Bradbury didn't originate that particular gem~and there were oh-so-many quotes i loved from this book). On a fellow librarian’s recommendation (i forget who~isn’t that just like me?) i picked up his juvenile fiction novel The Halloween Tree Ray Bradbury is an excellent story-teller in my, ever not-so-humble, opinion, this is a man who knows how to use language (though i do have to wonder why a soul~or anything for that matter would need to be hung out to dry if it had been dry-cleaned~but maybe Bradbury didn't originate that particular gem~and there were oh-so-many quotes i loved from this book). On a fellow librarian’s recommendation (i forget who~isn’t that just like me?) i picked up his juvenile fiction novel The Halloween Tree which i thought might make a nice read for the season, and it did. I started it earlier this evening (or last evening~i never have figured out what to call the night that started on the previous date but feels like the same night) but, anyway... The Halloween Tree is about a group of nine boys (or eight depending upon how you count) who gather on Halloween eve for a night of trick-or-treating (what else) and a few scares end up finding out the real meaning of Samhain (pronounced SOW-in, as i just recently discovered~something an agnostic pagan such as myself really should have known before now~dontcha think?) from one Mr. Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud (sense any meaning THERE?).

Now, Samhain, being the start of the New Year for us pagans is also one of our most important nights so its real meaning is important. It was also important to many cultures throughout history as a harvest festival celebration, appeasing the gods (or god) for good productivity in the new season, as well as a recognition of the importance of death in life (and the continuing cycle of life and death). Dia de los Muertos is still celebrated and recognized as such today, and retains much of its original meaning. Bradbury missed a few points (how could he not, given the format?), and, even though he tried to move chronologically through history, there were a few unexplained missteps.

I am sure there were probably a few frightening moments in The Halloween Tree, though, as it was written for a younger audience, they might have slid by me. It is an excellent seasonal teaching story that is very well told (and features boys as main characters, with male appeal, always a plus) though if you get a chance go for the beautifully illustrated hardcover which has Bradbury's original text restored. Highly recommended...

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